Grain-binder.



No. 785,165. PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905. y P. HANSON.

GRAIN BINDER. Amman-Ion FILED snrr. 22, 1902.

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PATENTBD MAR. 21, 1905.

P; HANSON. GRAIN BINDER.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902-.

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No. 785,165. PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

' P. HANSON.

GRAIN BINDER.

' APPLICATION rum) SEPT. 22, 1902.

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P. HANSON. GRAIN BINDER.

APPLICATION rum) snrrr. 22, 1902.

PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

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.NITED STATES Patented March 21, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

GRAIN-BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 785,165, dated March 21, 1905.

Application filed September 22, 1902. Serial No- 124,485.

To all whom, it may concern/.-

Be it known that 1, PAUL HANsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Grain-Binder, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to grain-binders.

The object of the invention is to simplify and improve the construction of grain-binders and to render the same more efiicient in operation.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out'in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure l is a view in side elevation of a grain-binder mechanism embod ying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a View in elevationlooking from the discharge side of the machine. Fig. 3 is a view in top plan, parts being in section, on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, the binder-deck being removed. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, on

the line 5 5, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 6 6,'Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a detail view in section on the line 7 7, Fig. 5, lookingin the direction of the arrows and on a somewhat reduced scale. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 on the line 8 8, Fig.

5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 on the line 9 9, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7 on the line 10 10, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 11 is adetail view in section on the line 11 11, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 12 is a detached detail view in perspective of the bracket employed as a packer-trip.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign whereverit occursthroughout the.

several views.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference-sign A designates the bi nder-frame, and B the binder-deck, of a grain-binder; C, the knotter-operating shaft; D, the needleshaft; E, the needle; F, the packers; Gr, the packer-cranks; H, the bundle-discharging arm; J, the knotter-operating wheel, and K the knotter mechanism. These parts may be of the usual or any well-known construction and arrangement and in the specific details of construction and arrangement thereof form no part of the present invention.

In the practical operation of a grain-binder continuous rotation is imparted through the packer-shaft M to the packer-cranks bywhich the-packers are operated. Through a suitable clutch mechanism automatically actuated or disengaged rotations are imparted for a cycle of operation to a counter-shaft L as, for instance, by means of the inter-meshing gears N and O, the latter being mounted on the counter-shaftL and the former loosely sleeved upon the packer-shaftthe clutch mechanism above referred to and presently to be more fullydescribed operating to couple or connect said pinion N to rotate with the packer-shaft. Rotation is imparted to the knotter-operating shaft C from counler-shaft O in any suitable or convenient manner as, for instance, by means of a sprocket-chain P, engaging over sprocket-gears Q and R, respectively, mounted on counter-shaft L and knotter-operating shaft G. The needle-shaft D is rocked to cause the needle to be advanced to its work and to be retracted below or beneath the binder-deck in any suitable or convenient manner-as, for instance, by means of a pitman S, suitably connected to the face of gear vanced position and then returned to its fullyretracted position and the knotter mechanism to, effect onecomplete .cycle of. operation to-" form and tie the knot of the binder-twine, and

when these complete cycles of operation are completed the clutch mechanism automatically operates to throw the needle and knotter operating mechanism out of action. Generally this operation of grain-binder mechanism is familiar to persons skilled in the art. and further specific description thereof herein is unnecessary. However, in accordance with the principles of my invention I provide a special arrangement for journaling the packer-shaft and for mounting the drive-pinion N, particular reference being had to Fig. 6, wherein it will beseen that a boss or bearing A is formed in the binder-frame, said boss or bearing having a lateral rim or extension B. The drive-pinion N is provided or formed with a sleeve C, projecting on opposite sides of said pinion, and which sleeve or one of the end extensions thereof is received within the hub or bearingA. The face of the pinion is grooved, as clearly seen in Fig. 6, to receive therein the lateral rim or projection B of the bearing A. The packer-shaft M is cored out, as indicated at D,Fig. 6,to secure lightness, and is arranged to extend through the sleeve 0, said sleeve thereby forming a bearing for said extension. Said shaft is provided with a shouldered ring or rim E, arranged to bear against the inner end of sleeve C. In this manner the drivepinion N is provided with an efiicient bearingsupport and is held against lateral movement, whether coupled to rotate with the packershaft M or free from said packer-shaft to permit said shaft to revolve on its bearing within said sleeve. The pinion N or the sleeve C thereof is provided with alug or boss F", upon which is pivotally mounted, as at a, Fig. 6, the clutch-dog G. This clutch-dog is provided with a tail extension (indicated at H) beyond the point of pivotal support, against which operates aspring J or other suitable tension device, (see Fig. 9,) the tension of said device operating to throw the point or opposite end of said dog out of the path of trip stop K, presently to be more fully explained. This clutch-dog is provided with a shoulder L, which, if desired, may be in the form of an antifriction-roller and adapted to be engaged by a lug or extension M N, formed on the packer-shaft. In the particular form shown in Fig. 9 the packer-shaft is provided with two of such engaging lugs or projections M N; but it is obvious that only one or more than two of such lugs may be employed. It will also be seen that the trip-dog is provided with only one engaging shoulder L, with which the lugs or projections M N cooperate. This materially simplities the construction and reduces the number of wearing parts without impairing the efficiency of the machine. The tension of spring J normally tends not only to throw the engaging end of the trip-dog out of engaging relation with respect to the trip-lever K when the latter is tripped, but also to throw the end of lug or shoulder L of said dog into the path of the revolving lugs or projections M N of the packer-shaft, so that when the end of the tripdog is released through engagement with the trip-lever K said dog is instantly thrown into position for a lug or projection M N on the packer-shaft to engage the shoulder or projection L of said dog to effect a coupling of pinion N to rotate with the packer-shaft, thereby setting in operation the mechanism through which the needle and knotter devices are actuated. It will be observed that the lugs l N are formed on the hub of the packer-crank and also that the packer-shaft forms a stud on which the drive-pinion N is mounted, and consequently when the pinion is locked by the trip-dog and trip-lever said pinion forms a bearing for the packer-shaft. The trip-lever K above mentioned is pivotally mounted upon a stud O, suitably mounted in a fixed part of the binder-frame.

It is important to provide means for locking the train of gearing against backlash or looseness when the trip-lever is in engaging relation with respect to the trip-dog, such locking permitting at all times the tripping of said lever. This result may be accomplished in many different ways. I have shown a simple arrangement wherein a spring pawl P is mounted on the trip-lever to extend laterally therefrom (see Fig. 3) and into position to engage behind a suitable lug or projection formed on the driven pinion O or other suitable part. I have shown said locking spring-pawl arranged to engage against a tooth of said pinion, which tooth is somewhat extended beyond the other teeth to form a bearing shoulder or engagement. It is obvious, however, that this lug or shoulder may be formed in any other suitable or convenient manner. This locking spring-pawl operates as a check-spring to prevent or to take up any backlash of the driving mechanism, and consequently to prevent pounding of the engaging lugs M N on the packer stud or shaft with the engaging shoulder on the trip-dog.

It is important that the trip-lever when tripped or disengaged from the trip-dog be positively maintained out of engaging position or relation until the complete cycle of movements of the needle and the knotter mechanism are completed. To accomplish this result, I provide the trip-lever K with an engaging surface Q, arranged to bear upon a cam-surface R, (see Fig. 9,) formed on the face of driven pinion O or otherwise suitably mounted upon the counter-shaft L. This cam-surface is suitably arranged to positively holdand maintain the engaging end of trip-lever K elevated out of the path of the toe or end of the clutch-dog until the cycle of movements of the needle and knotter mechanisms are completed. In order that this retrip-lever asto permit said trip-lever to be depressed into position to engage the toe or end of the clutch-dog and the end of the tripdog to be coincidently brought into engaging relation only when the cycles of movement referred to are completed. I have found that a driving-pinion N having twelve teeth and a driven pinion 0 having sixteen teeth will satisfactorily answer this'purpose, such proportion producing a'ratio of gearing of three to four. With this arrangement of gears the gear N makes one revolution while the gear O makes only three-fourths. The gears O and N must be brought into proper relation before the trip-lever is permitted to rock into engaging relation with respect to the dog. This relation of gears O and N is not attained after said gears are put into operation until N makes four revolutions and O three revolutions, and this relation of revolutions brings the cam B into position to release the triplever to enable it to assume engaging relation with respect to the dog only when 0 makes three complete revolutions. Each time cam B passes lever K in making the first two revolutions dog G is not in position to engage the trip-lever and is in position only when three complete revolutions have been made. This feature of my inventionI regard as important and valuable, as thereby I am enabled to avoid breakage of parts or interruption of operation by undue engagement of the trip-lever with the clutch-dog.

In order to impose a yielding tension upon trip-lever K, so as to normally draw the end of said lever into engaging or abutting rela.

tion with respect to the trip-dog G, and in order to hold the bearing-surface Q on said lever in engagement with the cam-surface R, I provide said lever with a depending lug or flange A (see Figs. 9 and 10,) into which is loosely engaged the hooked end of a rod B said rod operating through a slot or opening in a flange O in a fixed part of the binderframe. A spring E interposed between the depending flange C and a nut F mounted on the'threaded end of rod B exerts its tension through rod 13 in a direction to draw the free end of trip-lever K downwardly toward the path of engagement of the end of said lever with the trip-dog and into position for the bearing-surface Q to be held upon the cam surface R. By turning up or backing off the nut F the tension of said spring may be regulated. Suitably bolted or otherwise connected to or formed With trip-lever K and extending toward the discharge side of the machine is an arm G arranged to extend above the binder-deck and forming what is known in the art as a deck-trip for the trip-lever K.

In the operation of a grain-binder the packers during the operation thereof crowd or impress the material to form the gavel down into the space bounded on the discharge side of the machine by the compressor-hook H and upon the deck-trip G until the pressure of the accumulating gavel upon the deck-trip G is sufficient to depress the same, thereby causing the trip-lever K to be rocked out of engagement with the end of the trip-dog Gr, thereby throwing into action the clutch mechanism to set in motion the gearing which actuates the needle and knotter mechanism. A deck-trip such as above described is efiicient where the grain operatedon is heavy or contains any considerable amount of grass, weeds, or thistle. If, however, the grain is light and fluffy, a tripmechanism actuated by the packers themselves is found efficient anddesirable. Such a trip mechanism, however, is desirable only in case of light and fluify grain, for if the grain is heavy and contains any considerable amount of thistle, weeds, or grass then and in such case there is liability of the clutch mechanism being tripped by the spurs of the packers or the packers themselves striking the heavy stalks of weeds, &c. Therefore in accordance with the principles of my invention I propose to provide a combined packer and deck-trip.

I have above described the deck-trip construction, and now I will describe the packertrip construction.

J 2 designates a bracket pivotally mounted, as at K upon a fixed part of the framework and is provided with depending lugs L in which are hooked the ends of the packer-links M This bracket J is forked at its upper endto straddle the sleeve or casing in which the needle-operating shaft Dis journaled. In one arm, N of said forked end is mounted an adjusting set-screw 0 arranged to form an adjustable limiting-stop to regulate the amount of rocking movement permitted to bracket J The other end, P, of said forked end is formed into a stud or shoulder and arranged to engage a depending finger Q formed on or connected with trip-latch K, so that when said bracket J is rocked by the packers during the operation of the machine said depending finger Q is engaged and the trip-latch K is disengaged from trip-d 0g G. From this construction it will be readily seen that where the grain is light and fluffy and the danger of IIO tripping the clutch mechanism by the pack- By clamping this cam through the medium of the set-screw O the device is changed from a packer-trip to a deck-trip.

I will now describe the construction and arrangement of compressor mechanism embodying features of my invention.

The compressor hook H is adjustably mounted upon the compressor arm or bar R This arm or lever is sleeved upon an eccentric bearing, (indicated at S see Fig. 7,) carried by and revolving with the needle-operating shaft D. Pivotally connected to arm or lever R is one end of a link T the end of said link being connected to a crank arm W mounted upon a shaft A suitably journaled and extending transversely of the machine, and at its opposite end being provided with a crank-arm B (see Fig. 4,) to which is connected one end of a pitman C the other end of said pitman being pivotally connected, as at D", to one end of a lever E pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, as at F, upon the upright portion of the binder-frame A. The free end of lever E is provided with an antifriction-roller G arranged to bear against a cam-surface H formed on said wheel. The shaft A passes through an elongated slot or opening J in a bracket K (see Figs. 7 and 9,)so as to permit slight lateral movement of said shaft, the bearing of said shaft at its opposite end being sufficiently loose to permit such lateral movement. A sleeve L mounted upon shaft A is provided with a rod or extension M (see Fig. 8,) arranged to project through an opening in a depending flange or lug N on a fixed part of the framework, and a spring 0 interposed between said flange N and a nut P mounted on the threaded end of said rod M exerts a tension upon shaft to A to yieldingly hold the same against lateral movement. The operation of this part of my invention is as follows: During the formation of the gavel by the packers the compressorhook H is held. in upright or raised position to receive and form a limiting-bearing for the incoming grain While being crowded or packed down thereagainst by the packers. When the needle is advanced to its work by the rotation of the needle-operating shaft, it is desirable .to effect a compression of the gavel at the point where the cord or binder-twine is to be applied to the gavel. By the construction above described, wherein the compressor hook or lever R is sleeved upon an eccentric bearing upon the needle-shaft, a slight elevating or raising movement is imparted to the compressor lever or arm in a direction to meet the advancing needle as the needle is advanced to its extreme forward limit of movement, thereby most efficiently compressing the gavel, the eccentric bearing of the compressor arm or lever operating to not only advance slightly the compressor arm or lever, but also serving to hold the same during the knot-tying operation. During the tying operation the antifriction-roller G is riding over the concentric portion of cam-surface H and consequently shaft A is held against rotation. hen, however, the tying operation is completed, the end of lever E rides onto the cut-away portion A of cam H thereby permitting shaft A to rock, and hence permitting the compressor-hook H to drop below the binderdeck to permit the bundle to be discharged by the discharge-arm H. The spring 0 serves to yieldingly maintain the compressor-hook in its elevated or raised position. It will be observed that this spring exerts a direct pull on shaft A and the link T and crank-arm W, as shown most clearly in Fig. '7, are so relatively arranged as to be practically in a straight line when the compressor-hook is in raised position, thereby forming a lock for the parts and relieving the friction-roller G of undue friction or braking effect upon the cam-surface H This is a valuable feature, because it enables the machine to run more easily and with the least friction. By employing a comparatively short link T and crank-arm W and swinging the crank toward the axis of the needle-shaft it will be observed that the compressor-hook when lowered is retained for a longer period of time beneath the binderdeck, so as to enable the bundle to be discharged without obstruction, and the hook wi ll be returned more rapidly and quickly into upright position with a minimum pounding.

The cam-surface H is provided with an enlarged shoulder or projection, as indicated at B, (see Fig. 4,) at the limit of the cut-away portion A. The object of this enlargement at this point is to cause the parts to be forced fully home at the completion of the knot-tying operations, the antifriction-roller G snapping over this enlarged part and causing the knot-forming mechanism to be fully returned after the compressor-bar reaches its limitingstop. 7

It is desirable to provide means for adj usting the height of the breast-plate, so as to regulate the point at which the needle enters the slot through the breast-plate and also to regulate the path of the needle with reference to the knotter mechanism. It is also desirable to provide means for preventing the grain from lodging or engaging above the breastplate. To accomplish these objects, I employ a web bracket or plate 0*. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 11.) This bracket is sleeved over the housing or sleeve of the binder-frame, in which the knotter-operating shaft isjournaled, and at its other end said bracket is arranged to support the brace bar or rod D" of the binder-frame. The bracket (his arranged on edge, so to speakthat is, in a vertical plane and to one side of, but in proximity to the plane of operation of, the needle and of the breast-plate E*. Provision is made for adjusting the position of, the bracket 0* relatively to the knotter-operating shaft C. This may be accomplished by means of a bolt F passing through a lug or projection Gr on the binder-frame and engaging through an elongated slot H, formed in bracket 0. By loosening the bolt F or slightly lowering or depressing or raising the end of bracket C, which supports the bar I), said bracket (1* is slightly rocked aboutits sleeved support upon the knotter-shaft, thereby securing the desired vertical adjustmentof the breastplatesupporting bar D*. This bracket (1* also serves as a brace for the supporting-bar D and also operates to prevent any grain from engaging or lodging above the breastplate or in the knotter mechanism.

It is desirable to provide a limiting-stop for the compressor-hook to limit its forward movement toward the needle or into raised position. of a lug J, (see Fig. 5,) formed upon the hub of the compressor bar or lever B and arranged to engage a stud or projection K on a convenient fixed part of the framework.

It will be observed by reference to Fig. 1 that the compressor-bar R extends above the deck B, and thus said compressor-bar serves as an under compressor for the gavel while being bound.

It is believed that the operation of the machine will be fully understood from the fore-' going description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It is obvious that many variations and changes in the details of construction and arrangement would readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. Ido not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact details shown and described; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction embodying the principles thereof, whatI claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

1. In a grain-binder, the combination with a needle and knotter mechanism and gearing for actuating the same, of packers. a packershaft, a pinion having a bearing in which said packer-shaft is journaled to rotate and having a hub journaled in the frame of the machine, said pinion arranged to operate the needle and knotter actuating gearing, and means for connecting and disconnecting said pinion to revolve with said packer-shaft, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a grain-binder, a binder-frame provided with a journal-bearing, a driving-pinion having its hub journaled in said bearing, a packer-shaft journaled in the hub of said pinion, means for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said packer-shaft, a needle and knot-tying mechanism, and gearing actuated by said pinion for operating said needle and knot-tying mechanism, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a grain-binder, a binder-frame pro- I accomplish this result by means I vided with a journal-bearing, a pinion having an extended hub journaled in said bearing, a packer-shaft journaled in the extended hub of said pinion, said pinion provided with a groove or recess in the face thereof, said binder-frame bearing having an extended flange arranged to operate in said groove or seat, means for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said packer-shaft, a needle and knottying mechanism, and gearing for actuatingthe same, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a grain-binder, abinder-frame, a journal-bearing formed therein, a pinion having its hub received in said bearing, a packer-shaft, the hub of said pinion arranged to form a journal-bearing for said shaft, said frame-bearing arranged to engage said pinion on one face thereof, a shoulder formed on said packershaft and arranged to bear against the pinion on the opposite side thereof, a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting said pinion to rotate with said shaft, a needle and knotter operating mechanism, and gearing actuated by said pinion for operating said needle and knotter mechanism, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a grain-binder, a binder-frame having a journal-bearing, a pinion having an extended hub-sleeve arranged to be received in the bearingformed in said frame, a packer-shaft journaled in said sleeve and having a shoulder formed thereon arranged to engage one end of said sleeve, said pinion having a seat or groove on the opposite face thereof to receive said frame-bearing, means for connecting and disconnecting said pinion to revolve with said shaft, a needle and knotter mechanism, and gearing actuated by said pinion for driving the same, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a grain-binder, a packershaft and packer-cranks,said shaft having engaging lugs formed thereon, a drive-pinion loosely sleeved upon said shaft, means for driving said shaft, and a clutch mechanism for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said shaft, and including a trip-lever and a dog having an engaging shoulder with which the lugs on the packer-shaft cooperate, a needle and knotter mechanism, gearing including an intermediate gear actuated by said pinion for operating the needle and knotter mechanism, and means carried by said intermediate gear to positively hold said trip-lever out of engaging relation when tripped to permit the needle and knotter mechanism to complete their cycles of movement. Y

7 In a grain-binder, a packer-shaft having packer-cranks, a drive-pinion loosely sleeved on said shaft, means for driving said pinion, a needle and knotter mechanism, gearing actuated by saidpinion for operating said needle and knottermechanisms, said gearing including an intermediate gear, a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting said pinion from said shaft, and including a dog forth.

8. Ina grain-binder, a packer-crank having an extension, a drive-pinion mounted thereon, a needle and knotter mechanisms, gear ing actuated by said pinion for operating said mechanisms, and including an intermediate gear, means for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said crank extension and including a trip-lever and a cam carried by said intermediate gear and arranged to engage said trip-lever when tripped and operating to maintain said lever out of engaging or uncoupling relation while the needle and knotter mechanisms are completing their cycles of movements, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a grain-binder, a packer-shaft, adrivepinion mounted thereon, a needle and knotter mechanisms, gearing actuated by said pinion for operating said mechanisms, and means for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said shaft, includinga trip-lever, in combination with a pawl and a cooperating engaging shoulder, one of these parts carried by said trip-lever, said pawl and shoulder operating to detachably lock said gearing to prevent backlash therein, as and for the purpose set forth.

- 10. In a grain-binder, a packer-crank having an extension, a pinion mounted thereon, a needle and knotter mechanisms, gearing actuated by said pinion for operating said mechanisms, means for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said crank extension and including a trip-lever, a spring-pawl carried by said lever, and a shoulder or projection arranged to be engaged by said springpawl to lock said gearing against reverse movement, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a grain-binder, a packer-shaft, a pinion mounted thereon, a needle and knotter mechanisms, gearing actuated by said pinion for operating said mechanisms and including an intermediate gear, means for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said shaft and including a trip-lever, means carried by said intermediate gear for engaging said trip-lever, when tripped, to hold the same out of engaging relation with respect to said coupling mechanism, and alock for saidgearing to d'etachably hold the same against reverse movement, including a pawl and a cooperating engaging shoulder therefor, thereby preventing backlash, all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

- 12. In a grain-binder, a packer-crank having an extension, a pinion mounted thereon, a counter-shaft having a gear with which said pinion engages, a needle and knotter mechanisms, gearing driven from said counter-shaft for operating the latter, a clutch mechanism for coupling and uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said packer-crank extension and including a trip-lever, a cam mounted on said counter-shaft and arranged to engage said trip-lever when tripped, said cam operating to maintain said trip-lever in disengaged relation with respect to said clutch mechanism during the completion of the cycle of movements of said needle and knotter mechanisms, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a grain-binder, a packer-crank having an extension, a pinion mounted thereon, a counter-shaft having a gearing with which said pinion engages, a needle and knotter mechanisms, gearing actuated from said counter-shaft for operating the same, and a clutchdog and a trip-lever cooperating therewith for coupling or uncoupling said pinion to rotate with said crank extension, aspring-pawl mounted on said lever, and a shoulder or projection carried by the gear on said countershaft and arranged to be engaged by said spring-pawl when the latter is engaged with said dog to prevent backlash of the parts, as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In a grain-binder, a packer-shaft, a pinion mounted thereon, a needle and knotter mechanism, gearing driven from said pinion for actuating said needle and knotter mechanism, a clutch including a clutch-dog carried by said pinion, and a trip-lever cooperating therewith, mechanism for operating said triplever and including a pivoted bracket to which the packers are connected, said trip-lever having a finger arranged in the path of movement of said bracket to be engaged thereby, and means for clamping said bracket against movement.

15. In a grain-binder, a packer-shaft and packers, needle and knotter mechanism, gearing for actuating the latter, a clutch mechanism, a packer-trip for controlling said clutch mechanism and including a pivotally-mounted bracket, connections between said bracket and the packers, said bracket provided with an engaging shoulder, and a trip-lever for tripping said clutch mechanism, and a finger carried by said trip-lever and arranged in the path of swinging movement of said bracket and with which said shoulder engages when said bracket is rocked, and means for clamping said bracket against rocking movement.

16. In a grain-binder, a packer-shaft and packers, a pinion mounted on said shaft, needle and knotter mechanisms, gearing driven by said pinion for actuating the latter, a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnect ing said gearing, a packer-trip for tripping IIO anism for connecting and disconnecting said gearing, a combined deck and packer trip mechanism, including a trip-lever having a deck-trip arm connected thereto and arranged to project above the surface of-the binderdeck, a pivotally-mounted bracket, connections between said bracket and the packers, said bracket provided with an engaging shoulder, said trip-lever having a depending finger arranged to be engaged by the shoulder of said bracket, and an adjustable screw carried by said bracket and operating to clamp said bracket against movement about its pivot, as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a grain-binder and in combination with packing, needle and knotter mechanisms, a compressing mechanism including a compressor -hook, a' pivotally mounted compressor-arm carrying said hook, and an eccentric bearing for said arm, as and for the purpose set forth.

.19. In a grain-binder and in combination with packing needle and knotter mechanisms, a compressor bar or lever, a compressor-hook carried thereby, an eccentric bearing upon which said compressor bar or lever is mounted, and means for rocking said bar upon said eccentric bearing, all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

20. In a'grain-binder andin combination with packing, needle and knotter mechanisms, a compressing mechanism, including a compressor-bar and a hook carried thereby, means for rocking said bar, including a rock-shaft having a crank-arm, a link connecting said crank-arm and bar, a cam mechanism for rocking said shaft, said link and crank-arm being arranged to straighten out to substantial prolongation with respect to each other when said bar and hook are in elevated or raised position, whereby said operating-cam is relieved of undue friction, as and for the purpose set forth.

21. In agrain-binderand in combination with packing, needle and knotter mechanisms, a compressor mechanism, including a compressor-bar, an operating-shaft for holding said bar in raised position, said shaftmounted for slight lateral movement, a spring arranged to oppose the lateral movement of said shaft, means for rocking said shaft, and a link connecting said bar and shaft, as and for the purpose set forth.

22. In a grain-binder and in combination with packing. needle and knotter mechanisms,

a compressing mechanism, including a compressorbar, a compressor hook mounted thereon, an operating-shaft for rocking said bar and provided witha crank-arm, a link connecting said bar and arm, the parts being so arranged that when said hook and bar are in elevated or raised position said link and crankarm are substantially in alinement with each other,a laterally-slotted bearing for said shaft, a spring for opposing the lateral movement of said shaft, and a cam mechanism for rocking said shaft, whereby when said bar and hook are raised into elevated position said cam is relieved of undue friction, as and for the purpose set forth.

23. In a grain-hinder and in combination with packing, and knotting mechanisms, a needle-shaft and needle and gearing for actuating the same, of a compressing mechanism including a compressor-bar sleeved upon said needle-shaft, said needl e-shaft provided with an eccentric bearing to receive the sleeve of said arm, and means for rocking said arm upon its eccentric bearing, as and for the purpose set forth.

24. In a grain-binder and in combination with packing mechanism, knotting mechanism, needle-shaft and needle, of a compressing mechanism including a compressor-arm, said needle-shaft having an eccentric bearing adapted to receive the hub of said arm, acounter-shaft provided with a crank-arm, a link connecting said crank-arm and compressorbar, said counter-shaft mounted for slight lateral movement, a spring arranged to oppose said lateral movement, means for rocking said counter-shaft including a cam-surface, said cam-surface having a stud or projection operating to force the parts fully home at the completion of their movements, all combined and arranged as and for the purpose set forth.

'25. In a grain-binder, a binder-frame, a

breastplate and a supporting-bar therefor, in

combination with a brace for said bar, and means for adjusting said brace to raise and lower said bar to regulate the height'of said breastplate, as and for the purpose set forth.

26. In a grain-binder, a binder-frame, a breastplate, a supporting-bar for said breastplate, a brace or bracket adjustably connected to said binder-frame and arranged to support said breastplate-supporting bar, all combined and arranged asand for the purpose set forth.

27. In a grain-binder, a main frame, packing, needle and knotter mechanisms, a breastplate, a brace-bracket supported upon the main frame and arranged in a plane parallel ITO IIS

with the plane of operation of the packing "hand, this 22d clay of August, 1902, in the andl needle mechanisms, connections between presence of the subscribing witnesses. saic breastplate and bracket, and means for adjusting said brace-bracket to raiseand lower Y PAUL HANbON' 5 the breastplate; all combined and arranged WVitnesses:

as and for the purpose set forth. S. E. DARBY,

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my C. H. SEEM. 

